# MEXAS > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/MEXAS > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/MEXAS.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MEXAS > Source revision: 1270814759 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|German composite armour system}} The '''Modular Expandable Armor System''' ('''MEXAS''') is a [composite armour](/source/composite_armour) system developed by the German company [IBD Deisenroth Engineering](/source/IBD_Deisenroth_Engineering). MEXAS was introduced in 1994 and has been applied on over 20,000 combat vehicles worldwide.{{cite web|title=IBD Modular EXpandable Armour System (MEXAS) (Germany), Armour systems |url=http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Armour-and-Artillery-Upgrades/IBD-Modular-EXpandable-Armour-System-MEXAS-Germany.html |publisher=Jane's IHS |accessdate=26 January 2016 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815052008/http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Armour-and-Artillery-Upgrades/IBD-Modular-EXpandable-Armour-System-MEXAS-Germany.html |archivedate=August 15, 2011 }} The successor of MEXAS is the [Advanced Modular Armor Protection](/source/Advanced_Modular_Armor_Protection) (AMAP). == Design == thumb|right|Ceramic armour tiles of MEXAS{{Cite web |url=http://www.etec-ceramics.de/fileadmin/Dateien/PDF/Ballistik/K2-R_Ballistik_engl.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2010-06-13 |archive-date=2011-07-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719000746/http://www.etec-ceramics.de/fileadmin/Dateien/PDF/Ballistik/K2-R_Ballistik_engl.pdf |url-status=dead }} The Modular Expandable Armor System (MEXAS) was developed in the early 1990s by IBD Deisenroth and first used in 1994. In 2005 it was succeeded by the next-generation AMAP armour system, which provides a wider variety of different armour options. MEXAS has been marketed in three versions: ''MEXAS-L'' (light) offers protection against small-calibre rounds and can also be fitted on soft-skinned vehicles like [MAN](/source/MAN_SE) military trucks. ''MEXAS-M'' (medium) protects the vehicle against autocannon and [RPG](/source/rocket-propelled_grenade)s with [HEAT](/source/HEAT) warheads. ''MEXAS-H'' is for use on heavy vehicles like [main battle tank](/source/main_battle_tank)s. Depending on version and required protection level MEXAS can protect against [kinetic energy penetrator](/source/kinetic_energy_penetrator)s like 30 mm AP, RPGs and mines like the [TM-46 mine](/source/TM-46_mine) and [TMRP-6](/source/TMRP-6) In order to reach different types of desired armour protection MEXAS is either passive armour or [non-explosive reactive armour](/source/reactive_armour).{{cite journal|author1=Richard W.O. Kwok|author2=F. U. Deisenroth|title=LIGHTWEIGHT PASSIVE ARMOUR FOR INFANTRY CARRIER VEHICLE|journal=19th International Symposium of Ballistics, 7–11 May 2001, Interlaken, Switzerland|date=2001|pages=961–968}} The exact composition of MEXAS is classified, but according to drawings from the manufacturer the passive version of MEXAS consist of a splinter foil-like specialized Nylon covering a layer of ceramic tiles (possibly materials like [aluminium oxide](/source/aluminium_oxide), [silicon carbide](/source/silicon_carbide) and [boron carbide](/source/boron_carbide) depending on the user's requirements). Behind the ceramic tiles a layer of aramid backing (e.g. [kevlar](/source/kevlar)) is installed. MEXAS also includes [spall](/source/spall)-liner and depending on the user's requirements a mine-protection kit. The reactive armour version of MEXAS utilizes several spaced multilayer plates consisting of an inert interlayer sandwiched between metal plates. During penetratíon by a [shaped charge](/source/shaped_charge) jet, the sandwich bulges similar to [explosive reactive armour](/source/Reactive_armour) (ERA) due to the interlayer absorbing the jet momentum and spreading it radially. Such armour provides better coverage than ERA (up to 85–95% of the surface compared to 30–60%), can be mounted on vehicles with very limited base armour that would not sustain the blast of an ERA tile without damage and has a lower life-cycle cost. MEXAS is only used as adaptable [applique armour](/source/applique_armour) and is usually not the only protection of a vehicle, but overlaid on the vehicle hull made of ballistic [aluminium](/source/aluminium) or [armour steel](/source/rolled_homogeneous_armour). During the development of [Bionix AFV](/source/Bionix_AFV) MEXAS composite armour was adapted to the vehicle. To meet the required protection against heavy machine gun ammunition fired from a distance of {{convert|50|m}}, different options were compared by IBD and ST Kinetics. A {{convert|30|mm}} thick plate of high-hardness armour (HHA) steel provides enough protection. This was indexed as reference to calculate the mass efficiency and thickness efficiency of different armour solutions. Utilizing only {{convert|23|mm}} HHA together with a {{convert|10|mm}} liner to absorb the fragments, the mass efficiency can be increased to 1.2 (the armour provides 1.2 times as much protection as HHA of the same weight). Using a {{convert|22|mm}} MEXAS armour panel on top of {{convert|7.3|mm}} HHA boosts the mass efficiency to 2.5 compared to the HHA reference. The best result was achieved by utilizing a {{convert|20|mm}} thick MEXAS armour panel on top of a {{convert|7.3|mm}} HHA plate fitted with a {{convert|10|mm}} liner on the interior — a mass efficiency of 3.5; however the higher thickness decreased the thickness efficiency to 0.8 compared to the other tested armour layouts. The [Stryker](/source/Stryker) can be fitted with MEXAS [applique armour](/source/applique_armour) in order to provide protection against 14.5 mm HMG rounds. In 2001 it was discovered that the chemical composition of some ceramic tiles had been altered without notifying the [US Army](/source/US_Army) and unapproved sub-contractors supplied the ceramic tiles. The amount of different tile variations allowed by the Army was exceeded drastically — instead of an approved number of six variations the Stryker utilized 39 after undergoing several design changes.{{cite news|author1=Ray Rivera|author2=Hal Bernton|title=Some Stryker tiles fail under fire; maker rushes to fortify vehicles|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20030916/stryker16m/some-stryker-tiles-fail-under-fire-maker-rushes-to-fortify-vehicles|access-date=26 January 2016|publisher=The Seattle Times Company|date=16 September 2003}} This resulted in the early Strykers requiring an additional {{convert|3|mm}} thick steel plate. According to IBD Deisenroth however, all changes had been communicated to General Dynamics, but General Dynamics did not inform the Army. Ulf Deisenroth, president of IBD, claimed that he was never informed about the Army only allowing six ceramic tile variations. Later the supplier of the ceramic tiles was changed to fix these problems. == Applications == MEXAS is used on several vehicles of the [German Army](/source/German_Army) like the [ATF Dingo](/source/ATF_Dingo), [Fuchs 1A7](/source/TPz_Fuchs) or the [Panzerhaubitze 2000](/source/Panzerhaubitze_2000). Some versions of the [Leopard 2](/source/Leopard_2) MBT utilize MEXAS-H armour at the hull. Prior deployment on [peace-keeping](/source/peace-keeping) missions, vehicles of different countries have been fitted with MEXAS. Norwegian M113s and German MAN trucks have been fitted with MEXAS prior their deployment in [KFOR](/source/Kosovo_Force). Some Canadian [Leopard 1s](/source/Leopard_1), M113s and LAVs have been upgraded with MEXAS.{{cite web|title=Modular Expandable Armor System (MEXAS)|url=http://defense-update.com/products/m/mexas.htm|website=Defense Update|accessdate=26 January 2016|date=9 June 2006|archive-date=2 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202130008/http://defense-update.com/products/m/mexas.htm|url-status=dead}} Uparmoured Canadian Leopard 1s have been used in the [KFOR](/source/Kosovo_Force) and as part of the [ISAF](/source/ISAF) in Afghanistan.{{cite web|last1=Priestley |first1=Stephen |title=In to Action – Canadian Leopard C2 tanks and the TLAV M113A3s in Combat |url=http://www.casr.ca/ft-leopard-tank.htm |website=Canadian American Strategic Review |publisher=CASR |accessdate=26 January 2016 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100109063605/http://casr.ca/ft-leopard-tank.htm |archivedate=9 January 2010 }} Other vehicles protected by MEXAS armour include[http://www.ibd-deisenroth-engineering.de/products-in-use.html User-list on IBD's website] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612162104/http://www.ibd-deisenroth-engineering.de/products-in-use.html |date=2010-06-12 }} versions of the Swedish [Pansarbandvagn 302](/source/Pansarbandvagn_302) and [Combat Vehicle 90](/source/Combat_Vehicle_90), the Greek variant [Leopard 2 HEL](/source/Leopard_2), the Austrian [ASCOD Ulan](/source/ASCOD_AFV), the [Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé](/source/V%C3%A9hicule_de_l'Avant_Blind%C3%A9), the Textron [M1117 armored security vehicle](/source/M1117_armored_security_vehicle), the [Coyote reconnaissance vehicle](/source/Coyote_reconnaissance_vehicle), the ST Kinetics [Bionix AFV](/source/Bionix_AFV) and the US [Stryker](/source/Stryker) vehicles.{{cite book|last1=Rottman|first1=Gordon L.|title=Stryker Combat Vehicles|date=2006|publisher=Osprey Publishing|isbn=1-84176-930-4|page=17}}{{Cite web |last=Gao |first=Charlie |date=2021-11-10 |title=These Are the 5 Tanks Ready to Defend NATO |url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/reboot/these-are-5-tanks-ready-defend-nato-195956 |access-date=2024-04-23 |website=The National Interest |language=en}} File:Leopard C2 Canadian Forces.jpg|Canadian Leopard C2 heavily up-armoured with MEXAS-M being deployed to Afghanistan File:Norwegian CV9030.jpg|Some [CV90](/source/Combat_Vehicle_90) like this CV9030N are fitted with MEXAS File:Canadian Forces LAV.jpg|The Canadian [LAV III](/source/LAV_III) is utilizing MEXAS File:TPz 1 Fuchs armored personnel carrier.jpg|German [Fuchs](/source/TPz_Fuchs) fitted with MEXAS located in Afghanistan during [Operation Enduring Freedom](/source/Operation_Enduring_Freedom) File:Stryker RV front q.jpg|The US Stryker can be up-armoured with MEXAS to resist HMG fire File:SPZ Ulan turret.jpg|The bolts holding the MEXAS armour panels are clearly visible on this [ASCOD Ulan](/source/ASCOD_Ulan) File:278th MP Company's new ASVs.jpg|The M1117 ASV utilizes MEXAS for ballistic and mine protection File:Leopard 2 battle tank on March 25, 2024.jpg|The [Leopard 2 HEL](/source/Leopard_2) of the [Greek Army](/source/Hellenic_Army), using a full MEXAS package, for frontal, side as well as upper glacis and crew hatch protection. == External links == * [https://web.archive.org/web/20100613162257/http://www.ibd-deisenroth-engineering.de/mexas.html MEXAS on IBD Deisenroth Engineering's website] == References == {{Reflist}} Category:Vehicle armour Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1990s --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [MEXAS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MEXAS) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MEXAS?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.